Facilitated Transport in Biological Systems

Facilitated transport is a type of passive transport that occurs when a substrate combines with a membrane constituent called a carrier to form a carrier-bounded complex. This complex then shuttles between the two surfaces of the membrane, carrying the substrate with it. Facilitated transport is a selective process, meaning that only certain substrates can bind to the carrier. This makes it a very efficient way to transport specific molecules across membranes.

Questions

• What is facilitated transport?
• How does facilitated transport work?
• What are the advantages of facilitated transport?
• What are some examples of facilitated transport?

Answers

• Facilitated transport is a type of passive transport that occurs when a substrate combines with a membrane constituent called a carrier to form a carrier-bounded complex. This complex then shuttles between the two surfaces of the membrane, carrying the substrate with it.
• Facilitated transport works by using the carrier to lower the activation energy for the transport of the substrate across the membrane. This allows the substrate to move across the membrane more easily.
• The advantages of facilitated transport include its selectivity and efficiency. Facilitated transport is a selective process, meaning that only certain substrates can bind to the carrier. This makes it a very efficient way to transport specific molecules across membranes.
• Some examples of facilitated transport include the transport of glucose into cells, the transport of oxygen into red blood cells, and the transport of amino acids into cells.